Alfa Laval Vortex® Shear-Mixer

Advanced slurry mixing eductor

Introduction
Mixing of liquid and powder, or slurry mixing, is a necessary
process for many applications. Effective slurry mixing
significantly impacts operational safety, speed, and overall
cost. However, the perceived simplicity of the process often
leads to poor, unsafe slurry mixing practices and the use of
outdated or improper equipment. Venturi eductors, or slurry
eductors as they are commonly referred to, are relatively
simple devices that are installed directly into motive liquid flow
lines. They have been employed in numerous applications
over the years as an extremely cost effective means of mixing
slurries. They have no moving parts or motors, and passively
convert motive flow pressure into vacuum, inducing powdered
additives directly into the motive fluid. However, they are not
free from issues such as plugging, sensitivity to recirculation of
solid containing slurries, and inadequate powder dispersion
which disqualifies them for use in applications where
continuous powder flow, batch recirculation, and slurry
homogeneity are critical. The Alfa Laval Vortex Shear-Mixer is
Standard Design
an advanced style of venturi eductor that provides all of the
functional simplicity of its predecessor, but overcomes multiple Much like traditional slurry eductors, The Alfa Laval Vortex
issues that inhibit the traditional venturi eductor. Shear Mixer has no motorized or rotating components. It
relies on low pressure vacuum and dynamic, hydraulic shear
Applications to easily mix additives into fluid. It outperforms traditional
The Alfa Laval Vortex Shear-Mixer is a high-performance venturi eductors; providing higher additive loading rates and
venturi slurry eductor uniquely designed to operate in more complete additive mixing. However, unlike traditional
demanding slurry mixing jobs. Handling high flow rate venturi eductors, it is exceedingly resistant to plugging and
requirements, high solids content, and difficult to mix additives downtime. The Alfa Laval Vortex Shear Mixer is offered in four
are major criteria for meeting demanding slurry mixing standard sizes: 51 mm (2 in,) 76 mm (3 in,) 102 mm (4 in,) and
conditions in applications such as oil and gas drilling fluid 152 mm (6 in.) The 102 mm (4 in) and 152 mm (6 in) Shear-
mixing, construction material production, chemical Mixers are available in dual suction port options for added
production, mining, liquid sugar mixing, brine mixing, versatility and connection to secondary additive feed devices
cosmetics, paint pigment mixing, metal processing, and or accessories, such as bulk bag hoppers or bulk surge
plastic production. tanks. The Shear-Mixer consists of a housing body with
special Lobestar Mixing Nozzle® and venturi/diffuser tube
Benefits inserts. 76 mm (3 in,) 102 mm (4 in,) and 152 mm (6 in)
• Robust design, no moving parts, easy to replace inserts models can be outfitted with the Radial Premixer “pre-wetting”
and wash down accessory and all Shear-Mixers can be
• Superior additive loading rates for solids, liquids and gas equipped with optional hopper, V-Slide® bulk flow promoter,
bulk bag station, or dustless surge tank accessories. The
• Dynamically shears additives into fluid
standard connection style for all Shear-Mixer sizes but the 51
• Handles hard to mix additives such as clays or polymers mm (2 in) is grooved end pipe couplings. The 51 mm (2 in)
size has male pipe threaded connections. The most
• Prevents clumps, fish eyes, and microgels prominent Shear-Mixer model for large industrial applications
is the single suction, 152 mm (6 in) version with heavy duty,
• Highly customizable to fit specific site applications table hopper and Radial Premixer accessories.
Working Principle preventing them from forming clumps, fish eyes, or microgels
Fluid is pumped at a high rate into the inlet of the Shear-Mixer in the mixed slurry. The Radial Premixer wash down effect also
where pressure builds behind the Lobestar Mixing Nozzle helps to inhibit foaming in slurries by partially flooding the
insert. The fluid’s velocity spikes as it passes through the Shear-Mixer suction with motive fluid and preventing
nozzle, and the resulting pressure drop creates a near perfect entrainment of free air into the slurry. During mixing start up or
vacuum for maximum additive loading. The Lobestar Mixing shut down, motive fluid can be recirculated through the Radial
Nozzle produces a unique jet stream that has a dual impact. Premixer to clear the Shear-Mixer mixing chamber of any
First, it dynamically shears fluid, rapidly hydrating and accumulated or settled additives.
uniformly dispersing additives. Secondly, it promotes a highly-
energized fluid boundary layer, which when combined with the
effect of the Shear-Mixer's specialized venturi/diffuser tube,
minimizes the impact of pressure loss in the downstream
piping and increases the distance and elevation which the
mixed slurry can be delivered through the discharge piping.
Generally, the Shear-Mixer can be utilized in any application
where the motive fluid can be handled by a centrifugal pump.

The optional Radial Premixer accessory can be combined with

76 mm (3”,) 102 mm (4”,) and 152 mm (6”) Vortex Shear-
Mixers. This device “pre-wets” chemical additive particles, Radial Premixer “pre-wetter” and washdown accessory

Technical Data
Model Number SM2000 SM3100 SM4100 SM6100
Connections 51mm (2 in) male pipe threads 76 mm (3 in) grooved end pipe 102 mm (4 in) grooved end pipe 152 mm (6 in) grooved end pipe
Body Material Molded Polyurethane 304 stainless steel 304 stainless steel 304 stainless steel
Insert Material Molded Polyurethane Molded Polyurethane Molded Polyurethane Molded Polyurethane
Gaskets N/A Buna Buna Buna
Weight 1.36 kg (3 lbs) 12.25 kg (27 lbs) 26.3 kg (58 lbs) 52.1 kg (115 lbs)
–28.8°C to 57°C (–20°F to –28.8°C to 57°C (– 20°F to –28.8°C to 57°C (–20°F to –28.8°C to 57°C (–20°F to
Design Temperature
135°F) 135°F) 135°F) 135°F)
447 to 564 lpm (118 to 149 999 to 1268 lpm (264 to 335 1892 to 2347 lpm (500 to 620
Liquid Flow 110 to 140 lpm (29 to 37 gpm)
gpm) gpm) gpm)
Differential Head 35 to 56 m of head (115 to 185 35 to 56 m of head (115 to 185 35 to 56 m of head (115 to 185 35 to 56 m of head (115 to 185
Requirement ft of head) ft of head) ft of head) ft of head)

Dimensional Drawings

Model SM2100 Dimensions

H1 121 mm (4.75 in)
W1 343 mm (13.5 in)
W2 120 mm (4.7 in)
H2 83 mm (3.3 in)
W3 77 mm (3.0 in)
Model SM3100 Dimensions
H1 127 mm (5.0 in)
H2 59 mm (2.34 in)
W1 462 mm (18.17 in)
W2 127 mm (5.0 in)
W3 133 mm (8.43 in)

Model SM4100 Dimensions

H1 163 mm (6.4 in)
H2 76 mm (3.0 in)
W1 575 mm (22.7 in)
W2 164 mm (6.5 in)
W3 236 mm (9.3 in)
Model SM6100 Dimensions
H1 176 mm (6.9 in)
H2 105 mm (4.1 in)
W1 762 mm (30.0 in)
W2 171 mm (6.7 in)
W3 283 mm (11.1 in)

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